Ayaka Furue won the first Major title of her career on Sunday after an eagle at the 72nd hole gave the Japanese player a one-stroke victory in the Amundi Evian Championship.
Furue sealed her greatest achievement on 19-under following a closing 65 at Evian Resort – a round which was capped by a run of five-under through her closing five holes when she was three back.
After starting with three consecutive birdies from the 14th, Furue eventually burst past eventual runner-up, Stephanie Kyriacou to clinch a dramatic success.
The young Australian was in pole position to land her own first Major championship with just a couple of holes to play, only for a costly chunked chip near the 17th green to drag her back into the pack heading down the last.
With three players – including clubhouse leader Patty Tavatanakit, who had made an eagle on the last herself – on 17-under as the sun set on a superb event, a wayward drive from Kyriacou allowed the 2022 Women’s Scottish Open winner to charge through the opening and roll home a mid-range putt for eagle.
Ayaka Furue with the 2022 Women’s Scottish Open trophy
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Kyriacou managed a birdie, regardless, but it was not enough to force a playoff and the Japanese woman continued her country’s success in Majors this year – following on from Yuka Saso at the US Women’s Open last month.
Immediately after her victory, 24-year-old Furue said: “Breathtaking, like incredible and I’m so speechless. I didn’t believe that I can get the major win so I’m so happy right now.”
Furue – who was World No.21 before the Evian Championship – began Sunday just a shot behind overnight leader Kyriacou and was involved, along with several other players, in a brilliantly-entertaining battle at Evian Resort Golf Club.
With momentum difficult to find despite decent scoring in south-east France, Furue revealed she was required to “use The Force” in order to pull her best golf out.
The self-confessed new Star Wars fan said: “I became a Star Wars fan like a month ago, and then I love the sentence, ‘may The Force be with you.’
A major champion with a pretty major comeback!@kodebuchanayaka earns her second LPGA title with a win at the @EvianChamp 🏆FULL LEADERBOARD ⬇️ https://t.co/u9TKje2LDlJuly 14, 2024
“Then I believe that sentence on 15th hole. I…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly…